David Benavidez Smashes Gilberto Ramirez In Record-Setting TKO Win

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 02: David Benavidez (L) punches WBA/WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez during a title fight at T-Mobile Arena on May 02, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Benavidez took the titles with a sixth-round TKO. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

Getty Images

David Benavidez put on one of the most savagely brilliant performances we've seen in the ring this year. Benavidez battered Gilberto Ramirez en route to becoming the new WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion. Benavidez's pressure and otherworldly accuracy on power punches left Ramirez's right eye terribly swollen and perhaps with a broken orbital bone.

Ramirez was down in the fourth and then again in the sixth where the rugged former champion took a knee and was forced to succumb to the Monster. This was one-way traffic but it wasn't because Ramirez wasn't trying.

What Happened in the Benavidez vs. Ramirez Main Event?

Benavidez's hand speed was the story. Ramirez simply couldn't contend with The Monster's blistering combinations and power.

The 25-pound jump from light heavyweight didn't slow Benavidez down at all. He landed clean from the opening bell, broke Ramirez down systematically, and added another stoppage to a finishing résumé that has now produced six straight knockouts.

The fourth-round knockdown was the first major signal, and the second knockdown in the sixth ended a fight that had only been heading one direction. Benavidez moves to 32-0 (26 KOs); Ramirez drops to 48-2 (30 KOs) with the first stoppage loss of his career.

What Did the Co-Main and Undercard Deliver?

Jaime Munguia was almost as dominant as Benavidez. Training under Eddie Reynoso appears to have made a significant difference for Munguia. His boxing looked slicker and he was more composed the entire fight as he dominated Armando Resendiz to become a two-division champion.

Munguia captured the middleweight title with scorecards of 117-111, 119-109, and 120-108. Elsewhere on the card, Oscar Duarte edged Angel Fierro by split decision (115-113, 112-116, 116-112) in a competitive super lightweight bout.